Living well after breast cancer: a feasibility trial of a weight loss intervention for women following treatment for breast cancer (#8)

Cancer Prevention Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Approximately 60% of Australian women
with breast cancer are overweight or obese. A recent meta-analysis found a 33%
higher risk for both breast-cancer specific and overall mortality in obese
versus non-obese women (p=0.001). It has been strongly suggested that weight
loss post-diagnosis may improve breast cancer outcomes; however to date there
have been only a small number of trials of weight loss interventions in women
with breast cancer. We conducted a feasibility trial to assess the
acceptability and efficacy of a telephone-delivered lifestyle-based weight loss
program for women following treatment for breast cancer. Ninety women (mean
[SD] body mass index: 31.0 [4.3] kg/m2; mean [SD] age: 55.3 [8.7] years;
45.6% post-menopausal at diagnosis; median 16 months post-diagnosis [range:
12-21 months]) diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer were recruited from the
Queensland Cancer Registry (82% of those contacted and eligible). Participants
were randomised to the weight loss intervention (up to 16 telephone calls from
dietitian and posted intervention materials over 6 months) or usual care. Data
were collected at baseline and 6-months (n=74; 82% retention). Mean weight loss
(percent of initial body weight) at 6-months was significantly greater in the
intervention group (-5.8 [5.0]%) versus the usual care group (-1.0 [5.0]%; p
< 0.001). Changes in dietary intake, physical activity, body composition, quality
of life, fatigue and body image were also measured. There was high
acceptability for the program with 66% of intervention participants rating the
program as ‘very helpful’ and 34% rating as ‘helpful’. This is one of only a
few trials internationally and the first in Australia to show that weight loss
is safe, feasible and acceptable in women following treatment for breast
cancer. More research is needed to better understand the impact of weight loss
on breast cancer-related outcomes and to understand the mechanisms by which
weight loss may improve prognosis.